Question

Power plants that discharge warm water into rivers have a negative effect on aquatic

life. This is because the higher water temperature ?

Answer 1

Power plants contribute to thermal pollution by releasing warm water into rivers, decreasing the solubility of oxygen and thus affecting aquatic life. The warmer water causes oxygen levels to drop, leading to potential suffocation and ecosystem disruption. Cold-blooded organisms face fatal thermal stress with rising water temperatures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Power plants that discharge warm water into rivers have a negative effect on aquatic life because the higher water temperature decreases the solubility of oxygen in the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms rely on this dissolved oxygen to survive. When oxygen levels are too low, they can suffocate, leading to significant stress or death. The warmer water, being less dense, also forms a barrier on the lake or river surface, further reducing the oxygen levels and disrupting the ecosystems' health.

Moreover, many aquatic organisms are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is dependent on the environmental temperature. Hence, an abnormal increase can cause thermal stress, which can be fatal. This phenomenon, known as thermal pollution, underlines the importance of properly designed cooling systems in power plants to minimize ecological damage.

Answer 2

Answer: hope this helps

Explanation: Reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water, making it challenging for aquatic life to breathe. Fish require more oxygen because their metabolic rate increases in warm water. Additionally, it may alter the timing of aquatic organisms' life cycles and breeding patterns, as well as the rates at which some species grow. The food chain may be disrupted, and the health of the ecosystem as a whole may suffer. In order to reduce their negative effects on aquatic life, power plants that release warm water into rivers need to be carefully regulated.